With the Zehnder Snowfest scheduled to kick off today with a baking contest and other festivities going into the weekend, several communities around the thumb are hosting some winter fun this weekend.
Despite the World Class Snow Sculpting Competition being canceled for the first time this year due to lack of snow, organizers of the Frankenmuth festival were quick to reassure that this lack of snow would not stop their State of Michigan, High School and Children’s Snow Sculpting competitions, hauling four truckloads of snow from Grayling to ensure they have the snow.
The organizers also added more ice carving performances to the schedule to make up for the World Class Competition. With live music and the return of the Zehender’s Warming Tent, there’s plenty on the schedule through Sunday, January 29, including fireworks on Friday, January 27.
Meanwhile, Port Huron and Lexington are cooking up two delicious but separate weekend events. While Lexington starts its Winterfest Friday by welcoming kids and their families to the Cadillac House for hot chocolate and time with Elsa and Olaf from Frozen, Port Huron’s Chilly Fest kicks off with an outdoor concert from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. by the Sunset Blvd. Band on the McMorran Boulevard Stage.
On Saturday, for a $10 donation, Lexington festival goers can try and vote for their favorite stews as the Cadillac House hosts a chili cookoff. With ice carvings on display around Lexington on Saturday, Winterfest also boasts about its Polar Plunge on January 28th, with the festival coming to an end at Sunday brunch at the Windjammer, featuring a live ice carving demonstration.
Meanwhile, Port Huron’s Chili Crawl Competition starts downtown at noon on Saturday, with team bed races, a cornhole tourney and more available at McMorran Boulevard. Chili Fest also features the PoHo Hot Cocoa run on Saturday, with participants choosing to run a 5k, 10k or 10 mile race course before hot chocolate at the McMorran Place Theatre.
You can also catch some hockey action at McMorran Arena as it plays host to the 64th annual International Silver Stick Hockey Tournament through January 30.
